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Duke  University  Libraries 

Letter  of  Secre 
Conf  Pam  #467 

DTTDBDHDbV 


MESSAGE    OF    THE    PRESIDENT. 

Richmond,  Va.,  Dec.  l5,  1864. 

To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  : 

I  herewith  tranpmit  for  your  eoneideration  a  communication  from 
the  J^ecretary  of  War.  relative  to  the  increase  of  the  amount  to 
be  appropriated  for  a  purpose  for  which  he  lias  already  submitted 


an  estimate. 


JEFFKRSOX  DAVIS. 


LETTER  OF  SECRETARY  OF  WAR- 

War  Department,  C.  S.  A., 
Richmond,  Dec.  l3,  18G4. 

To  the  Presidnit  of  the  Confederate  States  : 

J?iR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith,  a  letter  from  the 

Quartermaster  General,  requesting  that  the  amount  estimated  bj 

him  as  required  to  pay  for  horses  of  volunteers  killed  in  action, 

under  Act  No.  48,  sec.  7,  le  increased  to  four  millions  of  dollars. 

Very  respectfully, your  obedient  pcrvant, 

JAMES  A  SEDDON, 
Secrerarv  of  War. 


LETTER  OF  QUARTERMASTER  GENIAL. 

War  Department,  ) 

Quartermaster  GeneraVs  Office,  > 

RichmoDd,  Dec.  10th,  1864.      ) 

Sir  :  On  the  8th  October  last,  I  had  the  honor  to  submit  an  esti- 
mate for  the  probable  amount  tliat  would  be  required  for  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Quartei  master's  Dfipartmeut  for  the  half  vear  ending 
June  30th,  1865. 

In  that  estimate.  I  summitted  an  item  of  -vvi, 000,000  for  pay  for 
horses  of  volunteer's  killed  in  action,  under  Act  Xo.  48,  sec  7. 

From  a  communication  received  from  General  Lee  since  that  es- 
timate was  submitted.  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  amount  asked  for, 
will  not  be  sulficient  to  meet  ihe  heavy  demands  accruing  under 
that  head.  1  have  therefore  to  reijuest,  that  the  sum  thus  asked 
be  increased  to  $4,000.0C0. 

In  submitting?  this  additional  call  for  funds  for  the  purpose  above 
indicated,  it  may  be  well  to  remark,  that  tiie  law  making  payment 
for  horses  killed  in  action,  is,  by  the  2d  Auditor,  construed  as  "  en- 
trusted by  law  to  lum  for  setilement;  and  that  officers  of  the  Quar- 
termaster's Department  cannot  settle  such  claims  without  previous 
action  on  liis  part;"  and  in  whose  office.  I  understand,  there  is  at 
tlis  time  a  lar^e  numb,  r  of  such  claims  awaiting  decision. 

Without  undertaking  to  discuss  the  question  as  to  the  Auditor's 
constructior,  I  remark  that  the  object  of  the  law  evidently  was  in- 
tended to  ensure  and  keep  up  the  effiriencv  of  that  arm  of  the  pub- 
lic service,  by  promptly  paying  the  value  of  horses  killed  in  action, 
and  therebv  enabling  the  men  to  re-mount  themselves.  If  so,  is  it 
not  worthy  of  consideration  whether  some  method  may  not  be 
adopted  with  advantage,  whereby  the  present  delay  in  the  prompt 
settlement  of  such  claims  may  be  facilitated,  and  much  inconreni- 
ence  to  the  men  avoided,  and  the  public  service  benefitted  ? 
I  am,  sir, 
Very  respectfully,  yuur  obedient  servant, 

A.  R.  LAWTON, 
Quartermaster  GeneraL 
Hon.  Jamks  a.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War,  Richmond,  Ya. 


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